A 21-year-old transgender woman was shot to death at a Maryland shopping center Thursday afternoon, according to police.
Zella Ziona was found in an alleyway near a Washington, D.C. parking lot with a gunshot wound to her head. She later died at a hospital, according to WJLA.
Ziona is the 21st transgender person killed in the United States in 2015, a record-high number according to The Advocate. Transgender death statistics tracked by advocacy groups don't account for those not properly identified as transgender at the time of death nor those deaths that go unreported by the media.
Police initially identified Ziona as a man due to identification found at the scene, but after speaking with friends and family, authorities on Friday correctly used her chosen gender and name.
Although police have not officially called her death a hate crime, they haven't ruled out the possibility, WJLA reported.
“This is a horrific crime and a tragedy for those who knew Zella," Montgomery County Police Chief J. Thomas Manger said in a statement. "As with all homicides in Montgomery County, we have detectives working around the clock to thoroughly and completely investigate this murder.”
Friends and supporters have taken to social media, many using the hashtag #SayHerName, to remember Ziona, and to draw attention to what has been called a violent epidemic against trans people.
I just cant believe that you are gone @zella_ziona. I love you so much, we was just talking you the other day. I miss already. You helped me become the person that I am today. You encouraged me to be myself when it came to being the that I wanted to become. You helped me know the dos and donts of cross dressing and now you gone. Like forreal tho, you out of all people but its ok because the people that killed you will get theres. I just want to let you know that even though we had our ups and downs. I love you sis and I will never forget what you done for me. #RIPZellaZiona #TheBaddestTranny #KnowThat A photo posted by ❤Curly-Blondé❤ Love (@ckasuperstar) on Oct 15, 2015 at 8:46pm PDT
Babe I miss you, Lord Why Her Why I Loved Her So Much @zella_ziona!!! A photo posted by ❤Curly-Blondé❤ Love (@ckasuperstar) on Oct 15, 2015 at 9:17pm PDT
#SayHerName #ZellaZiona #BlackTransLivesMatter She was 21 years old. Murdered in Gaithersburg, #MD pic.twitter.com/3eNDDztnbn— Erika Totten (@2LiveUnchained) October 16, 2015
Zella Ziona killed in Maryland last night. She was a beloved friend and activist. What can we keep saying? #BlackTransLivesMatter— Grace Dunham (@simongdunham) October 16, 2015
Memorial/balloons fly in Montgomery Village alley where 21y/o (transgender) Zella Ziona was murdered Thurs. @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/Abg677FwBT— Mola Lenghi (@MolaReports) October 16, 2015
Police have not identified a suspect, but a witness told WJLA that he saw Ziona surrounded by and arguing with four or five teenagers, one of them then shot her four or five times.
"They argued and things happened so fast. I don't know what they argued for," the witness told WJLA.
A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).